EM Records
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Styles range from the ethereal world of Bax to a couple of folky numbers by Alwyn and, at the end, a little levity by way of Paul Lewis’s Divertimento. —
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The diversity of the compositions is little short of astonishing and is matched by fabulous piano-playing from Guinery. Agility, dexterity, poise, elegance and a strong bass line are some of... —
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The best is Arthur Somervell’s Maud, 13 songs based on excerpts from Tennyson’s narrative poem of love, death and mental distraction. Thorsett shows sensitivity to text and articulation, and... —
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English-music beachcombers will appreciate these undemanding creations, among which occasionally (as in Reef's End) something more individual rises to the surface. Fine performances, but too... —
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Holst: The Coming of Christ
Marta Fontanals-Simmons (soprano), Julian Davies (tenor), James Goddard, Ra Twilley (baritones), Jonathan Kilhams (bass), Richard Pearce (organ) & Timothy End (piano)
City of London Choir, The Chamber Choir of St Paul’s Girls’ School & The Holst Orchestra, Hilary Davan Wetton
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Audite Finem
Old and New Music
Roger Green (descant)
The Charter Choir of Homerton College, Cambridge, Daniel Trocmé-Latter
[This recording gives] a strong impression of Homerton’s commitment not just to progressivism but to the English tradition as well —
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Francis Pott: The Towers of Man
Yuko Inoue (viola) & Francis Pott (piano), Alla Kravchuk (soprano) & Simon Philips (piano)
No praise is too high for Yuko Inoue, whose viola sings with magnificent, throbbing intensity throughout its range…[Alla Kravchuk] achieves just the right balance of intimacy and projection... —
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These performances, recorded between 1979 and 2016, reflect the conductor’s love of English choral music, and cover a period of choral writing in which composers were greatly influenced by pastoral... —
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There is an interesting category of music that does not fall into the realm of what is regarded as modern classical writing, but at the same time lacks the sheer popular appeal of what is nowadays... —
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Those Blue Remembered Hills
Music by Ivor Gurney & Herbert Howells
Roderick Williams (baritone), Michael Dussek (piano), The Bride Quartet
Roderick Williams always seems to be trying to find a balance between drama and wistfulness, a balance that is rightly elusive. Beautifully supported by Michael Dussek and the Bridge, this is... —
